Just Like the Good Old Days

Author's Note: Hey, guys, I'm sorry for the long wait (like, really long wait). Just know that I am not deliberately holding out on you. The reasons for my absence are as follows: first, I felt a lack of motivation to write; second, I have become increasingly depressed with the quality of the first half of this fic (I started this back when I was just getting into writing); third, I've been having to divert a large amount of energy into schoolwork (I am now approaching graduation); fourthly, I have been getting into other fandoms (mostly Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings); and finally, I have a ton of other obligations. By the end of it all, I just get so burned out I can't get stuff done.

Once again, I don't own Legend of Korra.

Movers and Mayhem

Third Person POV:

Long, slender fingers tapped slowly on the arm of a dark marble throne. Glowing, lamp-like eyes stared down at the dark spirit that stood whimpering before the powerful entity. Suddenly, the seated spirit lifted its hand and dark, green energy swirled around its pointed nails. As quickly as the energy appeared, it shot from the more powerful spirit's hand towards the weaker dark spirit, sending the creature scampering backwards to avoid being struck.

"The Avatar was not to be harmed," the powerful spirit hissed through a set of fangs protruding from blood red lips. The spirit's voice was high and feminine, though it had a stern and cold quality that could not be found even among the worst of humans. "If the Avatar was killed by the actions of one careless dark spirit, you will all suffer Hei-An's wrath."

The powerful spirit leaned back into the throne, continuing to glare at the other spirits before her, all of them enslaved by the dark energy that her master had stirred up in preparation for the Harmonic Convergence. Her snow white hair framed her face in long tendrils, her pointed ears protruding slightly from between the strands. Her skin was pale with thin blue streaks along her face, but she had the faintest hint of pink in her cheeks, indicating that she was not fully a spirit, a fact that brought the entity much shame. She was clothed in a dark blue material that flowed out as though caught in the tiniest breeze. This spirit was Hakidonmuya, the demoness of the south.

For centuries, Hakidonmuya had been the bane of the Southerners' existence. Her objective was and would always be to cause as much despair amongst humans as possible. Unfortunately, she had been limited to the Spirit World and the area surrounding the Southern Portal ever since her defeat at the hands of Avatar Setna. She had tried to get revenge by stealing Avatar Ehane's younger brother several thousand years after that, but had again been thwarted. But she had other ways of getting back at Setna, even if they were more indirect than the demoness wished. It had started when she had lured Setna out into the snowstorm by abducting her son, Catori, and infecting him with a venomous bite that entered his blood and passed down to all Catori's descendants. With this she was able to commune with them from her confinement in the Spirit World, or else draw those who were directly of Catori's line to her. She had so enjoyed twisting the hearts and minds of countless otherwise innocent persons. Whether it was turning Akando against his older sister Kenda, resulting in the horrific circumstances surrounding Avatar Gaagii's birth, or else corrupting a young and promising waterbender like Hama into a monster of revenge so cruel she abandoned her fellow waterbenders to their fate in the Fire Nation prison. Hakidonmuya delighted in her crimes because they were evidence of her loyalty to Hei-An.

To her, Hei-An was more than a master, he was the center of her universe, the being around which she shaped her entire existence. When he had found her, she had been lost between two worlds, knowing nothing about what she was or what she could do, but he brought her into his service and made her a force to be reckoned with. He made her strong and feared, and that was worth all the harsh words, criticism, and even the pain she endured on his behalf. Without Hei-An, as far as Hakidonmuya was concerned, she was worth nothing.

"The Avatar had better have survived," said a familiar cold voice.

Hakidonmuya rose from her throne and turned to see Hei-An. She lowered her head in deference as the dim light from the flames of green energy sitting in braziers around the chamber caused the dark figure of her master to appear even more menacing than he usually did.

"If she hasn't, then I assure you it was not my fault," Hakidonmuya insisted. "Some of the dark spirits have gotten beyond control."

"Vaatu will know," Hei-An continued. "His and Raava's energies are eternally linked."

"How is it that you cannot tell?"

Hei-An shot her an intimidating glare.

"It is because Awonawilona created Raava and Vaatu from the same substance," he explained. "They alone can know where the other is at any time. While I can darken the hearts of any man or woman, I cannot distinguish one human from another when I do so." A cruel smirk spread over his face, revealing his long, sharp teeth. "For the time being."

Tarrlok's POV:

"We finally made it," Nuktuk exclaimed as he led his faithful team towards Unalaq's stronghold. "Now, we must stop the evil Unalaq."

I heard delighted cheers from down in the audience. I, myself, was seated in Varrick's private box along with Bolin, Lomasi, Ginger, and Varrick. I had to admit that taking part in these movers was actually quite fun, even if it did feel a bit stupid at times and Bolin had a tendency towards overacting. Come to think of it, most of the people working in the movers had a habit of overacting.

Currently, we were watching the fourth instalment of the Nuktuk series. The first one involved introducing Nuktuk and Tatrek as two childhood friends who grew up together in the South Pole. Naga and Pabu had undergone a makeup procedure to become Roh-Tan the arctic panda and Juji the snow raccoon, respectively, Nuktuk and Tatrek's trusted talking animal companions (I had to wonder how Korra would react if she found out we were using Naga for the movers). The plot was a bit weak at first, considering it was mostly the original script and had not had enough time to be edited by Hachi (who I had to admit turned out to be a gifted scriptwriter and director, even if she was a bit temperamental about getting everything right).

Anyway, the story had progressed to Nuktuk meeting, and promptly falling in love with, the beautiful Ginger, who was pretty useless in a fight considering the two met when Nuktuk saved her from a polar leopard (the polar leopard actually being Trickster, as he had gladly agreed to take on roles as the dangerous animals, dark spirits, and occasionally as some of the actual special effects that could not be created with science or engineering). After that, dark spirits began to attack the South, led by the evil Chief Unalaq. Nuktuk and Tatrek were then commissioned by Chief Kaliska (who was played by an actress probably half the actual chief's age) to stop him and to avenge the murder of her son, Prince Ciqala, at the hands of Unalaq. Then there were some random fight scenes thrown in, in which Nuktuk and Tatrek got surrounded by Northern troops. That was the first episode and was left at a cliffhanger.

The second episode started with help arriving in the form of Maralah (played by Lomasi), the feisty warrior outcast seeking redemption for some sort of past transgressions that had yet to be explained (Hachi had only told Varrick and Lomasi about the backstory of the character to give it a more "realistic" feel). Then there were some "emotionally touching" scenes in which Tatrek and Maralah had a heart-to-heart, at which point they get ambushed by Unalaq's troops and it's up to Nuktuk to save them. Nuktuk allows himself to be captured in order to rescue his friends as Unalaq had mistaken Tatrek for him; Unalaq then made a clearly crooked deal with Nuktuk, promising to release his friends if Nuktuk could survive fighting against one of his spirit monsters. It was also in this episode that the mover version of Princess Eska was introduced (played by that weird girl, Lilim, who Bolin met about a week ago); at least this version of Eska was less terrifying than the real one, clearly being persuaded to side with Nuktuk after falling for him at first sight, or some other plot contrivance I didn't bother to pay attention to. There were a few other subplots, but I didn't focus too much on those either.

The third film started with Nuktuk freeing his friends and Unalaq swearing vengeance. Then there were scenes of Nuktuk, Tatrek, and Maralah helping the Southern Resistance and obvious references made to the farce trial, in which passing mention was made of Korra and the rest of us ("We must follow the great Avatar Korra's example," Nuktuk announced at one point, "And fight for the freedom of our tribe. When the Avatar returns, we will make sure she has an army behind her."). There was some sort of romance scene thrown in, in which Nuktuk promised to marry Ginger after the war, only for her to be captured by Unalaq's forces several minutes after Nuktuk left to assist a raiding party.

And now, as mentioned, we were on to the fourth film, in which Nuktuk and his associates had to rescue Ginger.

"Nuktuk, how are we going to break past Unalaq's defenses this time?" said Maralah.

"I'll go in through the front, while you two go in through the secret passage," Nuktuk replied.

"Are you crazy?" Tatrek replied. "You'll be walking right into a trap, even if you get past the guards."

"That's where you two come in. If I am captured, I need you both to have the element of surprise on your side."

The scene changed to show Unalaq.

"The Southern Water Tribe is mine," said the actor. "Next, I will conquer the world with my waterbending doomsday device!"

The children in the audience booed and tossed popcorn at the screen.

Nuktuk then reassured his team that he would defeat the evil Unalaq. Then the theme song started. I wasn't paying much attention at this point; I wonder if most people involved in creative endeavors grow to hate what they were working on. That's certainly how I felt right then.

"Guys, look up there," said Varrick in a whisper. "What do ya see?"

"I…is this a trick question?" said Bolin.

"I see a bunch of saps getting taken in by bright lights and flashy costumes," I said.

"I'll tell ya what I see," said Varrick. "Stars being born. You guys are stars. People love stars. Stars tell them what to think and how to act. Have you ever tried to force a monkey-marmot to ride a bicycle?"

"Uh, not that I can recall," said Bolin.

"Course you haven't! You can't force monkey-marmots to do anything. They've got to want to do it themselves."

Bolin, Lomasi, and I all exchanged wary glances.

"With these movers, we'll have the support of the people," Varrick continued. "Before long, they'll persuade the council to lend the troops to the war effort."

"Muahaha!" said the Unalaq character on the screen. "My evil plan is working. I've kidnapped Nuktuk's beautiful girlfriend."

"Not so fast, evil Unalaq!" Nuktuk declared as he burst into the scene. "For I will save my true love. And the south!"

I tuned out again as the episode wound to a close with Nuktuk being captured. I'd already read the script for the next episode. Nuktuk would be taken prisoner, during which time the Eska character would attempt to seduce him. Lomasi and I (or rather, Maralah and Tatrek) would sneak into the evil fortress and help Nuktuk escape, destroying the first doomsday device only for Unalaq to escape with Ginger still being held hostage.

As the episode ended, Zhu Li appeared.

"Varrick, another one of your ships has been captured," she said.

"Darn it, Zhu Li, haven't I told you I hate getting bad news without first getting good news!"

"Uh, well, the good news is it looks like your latest mover has gotten a good reception."

"That's old news! Let's go."

This was awful, Asami had been counting on that shipment getting through.

"Well, I've got a date with my lady Lilim," said Bolin.

"What about the shipments that have been captured?" said Lomasi. "This is serious."

"Hey, I'm helping the war effort the best way I know. I can't help that that ship was taken. Nuktuk can only be in so many places at once."

Lomasi and I exchanged another look. Bolin had been acting different ever since he started acting in the movers. To be honest, it was getting quite annoying. It was almost like he couldn't distinguish between himself and his character.

"Fine, go have fun with your newest girlfriend," I said. "Just hope this one doesn't turn out to be a rampaging psychopath like the last one."

Third Person POV:

A lone figure darted stealthily through the Southern Water Tribe capital. Clad in a dark cloak, it blended with the shadows. Ducking out of sight just as a Northern patrol passed by, the figure quickly stole into an alleyway. Noting its location, it waterbended a small ice pillar up to a window and disappeared inside, melting the pillar as it went.

"You're late, Senna," said a voice in the darkness.

The figure threw off the hood of her cloak, revealing herself to be the mother of the Avatar. A small lantern was lit as Senna shuttered the window behind her. The second figure in the room was Honovi, Lomasi's mother.

"It's not easy to get around with those Northerners," said Senna. "Are the others here?"

"Most of them," said Honovi. "I see you didn't bring Yue or our chief."

"They had business to see to. The men got a message in."

"What?"

"They're all safe for now. Korra freed them from the prison ship that was taking them up north. They're hiding outside the city."

"I think you'd better speak to the others."

The two women made their way downstairs to the basement of the house. A large group of Southern women were there, all of them the wives of men who had been arrested by Unalaq.

"I bring good news, ladies," said Senna. "Our men are safe for the time being. Now, it is up to us to keep things going until my daughter and her friends return with the United Forces."

"How long do we have to wait, Senna?" said one of the women. "Things are going from bad to nightmarish. I don't think the tribe can stand much more."

"We have to try. Sooner or later, Unalaq's going to make a mistake and we'll need to fight back. For now, we need to keep things under control. Send the word out to all those who are loyal to the south that help is on its way. The time to take back our home is approaching, and it's coming sooner rather than later."

"I hope so," said Honovi. "For all our sakes."

Tarrlok's POV:

"You want us to do what?" I said.

"Help me and Asami pull a sting operation," Mako repeated. "I tried to ask Bolin, but he's apparently too busy with his acting career. I walked into our apartment and found him sitting in a hot tub with that new girlfriend of his and she kept egging him on when he and I got in an argument."

"Well, you have to admit, you haven't been the most supportive brother to Bolin recently," I said. "It shouldn't be that surprising that he refused."

"What does that matter?" said Lomasi sharply. "They're still brothers and Bolin should be helping. I'll join your sting operation, Mako. I've got a couple days off from filming as they're working on most of Nuktuk's scenes this week. Not that that excuses Bolin from helping, too," she added quickly.

"Yeah, I guess I'll help out, too," I said. "Better than having to go to the opening nights. Do you have anyone else in on this?"

"I…well, I went to recruit some guys from the Triple Threat Triad," Mako said awkwardly.

"Are you nuts?!" I shouted. "What makes you think those crooks can be trusted?"

"Personally, I don't. But bribery is a language most people can understand."

I was not entirely convinced. I knew too much about the seedy minds of the criminal world to think that such men could be trusted under any circumstances. Mako had told us about his theory that someone had hired the Agni Kais to attack the cultural center and the shipments, and if they had then what was stopping that person from buying out the Triple Threats.

Nevertheless, I had given my word to Mako and I wouldn't back down. If things went under and either the hijackers or the Triple Threats chose to make trouble, I wasn't about to let my friends come to harm. And, I am honest, a part of me was eager for some excitement; participating in the movers was dull because it was all staged, but facing actual danger, I admit, gives me something of a rush.

The following evening, we quickly met up with Asami and joined the men from the Triple Threat Triad at the dock and boarded one of the Future Industries ships. It seemed too calm that night. My nerves were running high as I waited for something, anything, to happen.

I was leaning back against the wall of the cabin, watching the water pass by, dark and empty. Lomasi came over and stood beside me.

"The calm before the storm is always the worst," she said. "You don't know when it will come, only that it will. How are you holding up?"

"Not great," I replied. "I wish Korra and my brother would get back already. So much time is being wasted. Who knows what's happening back home with Unalaq running the place?"

"I understand. I've worried every day about my mom and dad. I don't think Unalaq is foolish enough to mess with a shaman, but there are still so many other problems. There were so many people being hurt by the negative energy, all those possession victims my dad is trying to save."

"There's so much wrong right now," I said. "But we'll fix it. All of us."

"Psst, guys," came a whisper from around the corner. It was Mako. He was motioning for us to follow him.

"What's wrong?" I said quietly as we joined him and Asami.

"I just overheard Shady Shin and Viper," he explained. "We've been double-crossed. We have to get off this ship."

We made a dash back towards the side, hoping to get to the lifeboats as quickly and quietly as we could. However, the gangsters must have noticed us because they were waiting for us.

"Where do you think you're goin'?" said Viper, the triad leader.

Without hesitating, I bent a large wave from the side of the ship and froze them in place. Taking the lead, the others piled into the boat and Mako broke the suspension lines with a fire blast. I jumped down to join them as the engine roared to life.

"That won't hold them off for long!" Lomasi shouted over the sounds of the engine.

Indeed, it didn't. Viper, being a waterbender, had managed to melt the ice within a minute. They were advancing on us in a second boat, though they were still a good distance behind us. Mako kept shooting fire blasts at them, which they managed to dodge. I rose from my seat.

"I think you should step back," I said to him.

While I am the first to admit I am nowhere near as talented a waterbender as my brother, I will not deny that I am still quite powerful and adept at my art. I sent a punching motion towards the water and bent an iceberg up underneath our pursuers' boat that sent them skyward from the sudden impact, only for them to plummet into the water. Their boat was wrecked and we headed back to the city safely.

"What was that all about?" Asami asked as we were making our way to port.

"Someone paid the Triple Threats to keep us distracted," said Mako.

"Distracted? From what?"

"Asami, if we're all out here, who's guarding your stock?" I asked.

I wasn't surprised that we found an empty warehouse upon our arrival, but it was still depressing to be proven correct. Someone had taken everything and Future Industries was doomed. That didn't dishearten Mako, though; instead, he promised Asami he would find who was responsible and bring them to justice.

Lomasi and I left the two alone as they were clearly intent on having a personal moment and it felt wrong to intrude.

"Who could have done it?" Lomasi asked me.

"I haven't the faintest idea," I said. "It would have to be someone with money and influence, someone untouchable who can get away with hiring professional criminals and selling stolen goods."

I stopped in my tracks.

"Who else has a reason to stir up more conflict between the north and the south? Someone who can profit off of it."

"You don't think…" Lomasi trailed off, but I could see we understood each other.

"Varrick," we said together.

Author's Note: Hey again. I'm sorry it's taken so long. I'm also not going to continue with the character commentary like in previous chapters as I don't think it really adds anything. But I promise you all, I will not abandon this story.